Wednesday, February 16, 2005



After the constitutional swimming routine, I invaded the land of the Blue Mountains and discovered that Red Cordial and Penrith coffee is a rather taxing combination. Even the coffee seems to be pricier than anywhere else: $3 for a cup of coffee. No wonder many invaders stick to drinking moore water or beer.

Les [Motto - squad boxing coach] is telling me the girls are getting better at boxing and that I am going to get a run for my money when I'm down there Meeting Miss Menzies: Stop Russian roulette in the pool

Art of Living & Literature Across Frontiers: Why the 20th Century Was the Century of Arthur Miller

Perhaps the 21st century will be remembered as the American century; although just now, at its outset, it is hard not to think that this may be for all the wrong reasons. And if the same could be said, perhaps more kindly, of the previous 100 years, it would be fine to consider that this might in part be because it was the century of Arthur Miller, too.


My admiration was sharply qualified: Terry Teacher What we had that was alive and crazy has been pounded into some hateful, ordinary dust
Polish-Jewish immigrants in Manhattan [It's like Cold River: A survivor’s Story, but without the tiki torches or exotic locales. And members of the "tribe" vote off books instead of people Book brawl in Canada ; The book must be a page turner in the truest sense -- a compelling read that you are unable to put down Canada Reads ]
• · An Unfinished Season is a leisurely novel set in Chicago during the Cold War ; The book became buried despite great reviews," writes Kelby, and that was that. No support, no marketing or PR and the book becomes buried. She believes it will probably be taken out of print and with no paperback date in view, she seems to be correct. The irony is that more than anything else this is a book about peace in the context of war, which is generally when the most stirring accounts of peace are realized It will however, barring a miracle, "soon fade away from the landscape ; My Privatized Valentine A martyr for state-free marriage
• · · There are many angles for romance. In the movie Silk Stockings, Fred Astaire uses geography. He croons to the leggy Soviet apparatchik Cyd Charisse that he loves the east, west, north and the south of you Lover's booklist may send entirely the wrong message ; Wine labelled with a photo of Joseph Stalin was pulled from shelves in the Canadian province of Manitoba after complaints from local Ukrainians Steel Liquid: A rough red
• · · · From the greatest of horrors irony is seldom absent, reads the first line of the H.P. Lovecraft story "The Shunned House," but chances are Lovecraft, who died in 1937, wouldn't have appreciated the irony of his present position as American literature's greatest bad writer Master of disgust ; via Barista Sophie Masson on English at school ; Aren’t modern bookshops great? Rum and Monkey, has a handy advice guide for the clueless bookbuyer Books in the Bookshop
• · · · · Justine Larbalestier's follow-up the publishing game's a difficult one ; Original repeat: Average First Novel Advances ; via Sarah Weinman
• · · · · · Job: Australian Red Cross: Blood Service - Nursing Unit Manager Level 1 enquiries Grace Attard 02 9229 4435 (sydney; Chatswood) Red Cross ; Australian Red Cross has so far raised more than $93.9 million in pledges for those affected by the devastating Asian earthquake and subsequent tsunamis. Important information about fraudulent websites and email ; Purity of heart - Good Political Blood in the Boardroom? Only Ticking Time will tell! Robert Tickner starts as CEO of Australian Red Cross